Day two of work in Swords. Organised another apartment
viewing for 7:30pm. Had a look at the place and really liked it - Brand
new (in fact not quite finished - waiting for tiling), close to work,
reasonable price, nice girl to share with, etc, just a little small. Tiles going in during the week, so hopefully can move in over the
weekend or Monday. A great weight off my mind that I've found a place I
can actually afford - ... Or so I thought! ...

After
having trouble getting hold of her again throughout the week (via both cellphone
and email) I started getting worried. Finally got a call night of Saturday
5th that Monday was OK. Packed up everything from Hostel Monday morning
(7th) ready to move in that evening - Got an email (never got a phone call!)
Monday afternoon to say she was getting transferred through work and so wanted
to now rent entire apartment for twice the price, minimum six months
instead!! *!"@£"$@$£%!*. Had to go back to the hostel in Slane again,
and the drawing board!

Left Slane about 10:30 to drive north into Fermanagh to Lough
Erne. It was overcast and dull in the Republic, but as soon as I crossed
the (invisible) border into Northern Ireland it become a beautiful fine
day! To totally confuse me the lower (southern) lake
is called 'Upper Lough Erne', whereas the top (northern) 'Lower Lough
Erne'!

Headed up the west side of the lower 'Upper Lough Erne'
to Enniskillen located between the two parts of the lake. Next headed on
up the west side of Lower Lough Erne (the upper one!) to Belleek (and
Belleek Pottery) before swapping
across to come back down the opposite side. A very pretty and picturesque
area with lots of small lakes all over the place, little islands
etc.

On the eastern side we visited Castle Caldwell National
Park and the ruins of Castle Caldwell, covered in vines etc. Lovely views
from Boa Island - a skinny island connected at both ends via a bridge to the
mainland. Met a local there that asked me what part of England I was
from - He then replied "Oh, you can't get much further from England I
guess!"

Lower Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh,
Northern Ireland

Castle Caldwell National Park,
Co. Fermanagh

View from Boa Island, Lower
Lough Erne

A rather isolated rural phone
booth - of course!

Detoured off to see Drummoney Falls and
Drumskinny Stone Circle,
where we got stopped by the same group of British Soldiers (and a Policeman)
after seeing each. May have been in the area because George 'Dubya' Bush
and Tony Blair were both in the country tomorrow. Further down we headed
across a bridge over Upper Lough Erne (the lower one remember) to Derrylin and
back to Slane again.

Very impressive grouping of passage tombs - About 18 Cairns
scattered around the site in stages of decay/restoration, with the largest
one in the centre. Very interesting and informative tour, the only
complaint being the limited time allowed considering so much to see (and
photograph!). Some really amazing neolithic
art - the largest concentration in Europe. Once again, we enjoyed this
more than the more well known Newgrange, although all worth seeing as
different from one another (Newgrange,
Knowth,
Loughcrew,
Fourknocks).

Knowth, Boyne Valley, Co. Meath

Knowth

Neolithic Art at Knowth

After lunch, decided to head north to
the Shannonbridge Bog Railway* (which
I had called ahead to make
sure they were open), Co. Offaly. After several 'short-cuts' we arrived
there three hours later to find that the train had actually broken down - waited about 45 minutes
in case it was fixed in time for the next tour at 5pm - unfortunately
not. Had now to drive back Slane for the night. Somewhat annoying to
say the least! Saw a peat incinerator powerstation - disgusting the way it
pours out black sooty smoke; smog all through the valley!

* Shannonbridge Bog Railway =
Blackwater Railway = Clonmacnoise and West Offaly Bog Railway = Bord ná Mona
Bog Railway, depending on what road signs or brochures you happen to read!
I wasn't entirely sure at first if I was actually driving towards the place I
had rung!

Shannonbridge Bog Railway, Co.
Offaly

Bog of Allen (being harvested
for power-station), Shannonbridge

Mon 7-Apr 03 Slane/Swords/Slane

Supposed to be moving into my new accommodation
tonight, but it wasn't to be (see notes on Tuesday 1st April). Had really
just wasted
€500+
keeping the rental car for longer and staying in Slane because I thought we had
accommodation to move into - had turned down various other places! Feel
very angry, sick and stressed. If can't find something affordable by the
end of the week probably have to throw in the towel and head home! It just
isn't working out. Ireland is VERY expensive.

Back
to Slane again with all my stuff and the rental car still. Have had to
keep extending the rental car a day at a time as I don't know when I'll have
accommodation in Swords.

Tue 8-Apr 03 Slane/Swords/Slane

Extended rental car by one day again. After work
looked at another couple of shared places - Decided I really liked one of them,
but didn't want to make a rash decision like last time so decided to sleep on
it.

A bit further away from work than I was trying
for (2.6 miles / 4km), but a nice roomy place, quiet area, separate living and
dining rooms etc. Ended up talking to Orna, the lady I'd share with, for
over 2 1/2 hours! Mostly just her living there with her Dad staying about
4/8 nights as he works night shifts at the airport.

There was one other place I was also waiting to hear back about and then
I would decide which one to take.

Wed 9-Apr 03 Slane/Swords

Extended rental car for another day AGAIN - have to make a
decision this evening about accommodation as can't afford to keep travelling
back to Slane. Made a decision at 6:30pm, rang Orna and moved in about
8:30pm that night!

Yay - finally have (Semi-)permanent accommodation in
Swords!!

Thu 10-Apr 03 Swords

Finally are sure about my plans - extended rental car
one final time, until next Monday so can go away for the weekend. Once
I go on real shifts at work (after training) won't have many weekends
anymore. Will probably head North.